For the first time since the Conservatives took power in the House of Commons in 2006, they now control the Senate as well, but their top senator says not much will change.
"I'm more comfortable with the numbers obviously . . . but I don't think the day-to-day operations of the Senate will change," Government Leader in the Senate Marjory LeBreton told CTV's Power Play.
She did add, however, that her party will control the Senate committees, which may mean they can pass bills more quickly.
When Prime Minister Stephen Harper named former CFL commissioner Larry Smith and Toronto Rev. Don Meredith to the Senate last month it gave the Conservatives a thin majority.
There are 54 Tories, 46 Liberals, two Progressive Conservatives and two independents in the 105-seat chamber.
Liberal Senator David Smith said he wants to see Parliament work the way it was originally intended.
"The Senate committee work is very thorough: fine-tuning bills, calling in witnesses, trying to ensure the legislation that goes through is good legislation," he told Power Play.
"(The Conservatives) are in the majority, so whatever happens now they control it."
Harper has vowed to make the Senate an elected body and limit the length of appointments. Presently, senators can serve until they turn 75.
LeBreton said she hoped that a bill on term limits will be moved from the House of Commons over to the Senate in the next sitting.
"That should be the first piece of legislation," she said.
Smith said the Liberals are "open-minded on the subject matter."
He noted two other versions of the current bill died because of Harper's prorogations.
Smith said the matter should be sent to Supreme Court to see if the bill is constitutional.
